im with fiend on this one- ive climbed (or showered!) at lots of gyms around the states- like powerhouse in vegas, and an awesome gym in flagstaff (cant remember its name). still though, the best gym ive been to is cliffhanger in vancouver- not because of the spectacular routes (they're pretty good- but its a gym!) or super high ceilings (40 ft.), or massive bouldering cave (its still pretty good and steep though), but because of the great people that climb there, and the supportive atmosphere they create. But climbing on rock is more fun than any gym. OK bye.

My favorite Gym is BNB Mounteneering neer Ames Iowa. It has low prices - frendly atmosphere - and it is said to be the closest to the real thing ( pebel/dirt floors, and several boulders for the belayer to anchor into gives BNB a dirty outdoors feel.) Also - it has a large bouldering cave!

I go to Kendall Cliffs in Penninsula Ohio, it has some really great routes, a nice bouldering cave, and an awesome staff. The prices are ok. too. Plus it is adjacent to a store called Appalachian Outfitters, which is a great place to pick up gear, the people are great and the selection is great too. I haven't been climbing long, and I took my first class there, the people were incredibly helpful. Kendall Cliffs is definitely my gym of choice.

Hey you don't say where Suncountry is from, I don't see it listed in FL. I climb X-Treme Rock Climbing in MIA. I think it has everything you could want in a gym. Plenty of climbing space 12k sq ft. Lots of top rope routes several lead routes on different walls, including roof climbs, bouldering cave and bouldering wall, routes are changed fairly often, A/C, the managers and workers are great, great climbers and knowledgeable, friendly, the clientel are all very friendly, I have no trouble picking up a partner when I go alone. And they sponsor competitions and away trips (to real rocks). Drinks clif bars and they'll order anything you want to buy in way of equip, and I've asked for some strange stuff.

I know B&B Mountaineering in Iowa was ranked in Outside mag as the 3rd best in the country a couple years ago. I know Mcloud (the owner) from talking to him on the net. He is a real nice guy and from what I've heard about their gym, they are up there. They even have an ice climbing wall.

I will tell you what makes a gym cool. First of all its all about the atmosphere. Without that, you have nothing. I know that one of the local gyms has 18,000sqft of crappy attitude. Most of the employees are rude, dont have any knowledge, and the management is what makes them poor. Not to mention the day pass is basically $1 per thousand square feet, also not cool. I would much rather go to this little gym that is about 5 minutes away, with about 4,000sqft, is dirty, and the holds are all old and greasy. There have been some really sick hard climbers come out of that gym, and they are all down to earth with great attitudes. And what I find to be even better is the fact that the employees from the big place, go to the little gym to do their hardcore stuff. Now that to me is humor. I have been to my fair share of gyms, as I have traveled for ABS circuits and whatnot, and the coolest place still stands as the little crappy 4,000sqft hole in the wall. Its all about attitude and encouragment.

I've been to quite a few gyms in my area, and I have to say that my favorite one is a gym called Joe Rockheads. It's in Toronto, Ontario on Fraser St. Like fiend said, atmosphere is a very big issue when it comes to gyms. What I think makes a good gym, is also the community of the gym, the ammounts of kewl people that you can meet there, that you'll perhaps never see again in your life. Just recently, I went there, and I was talking with a guy in there who was from the Czech Republic (sp?). It's great to see your gym be recognised from different countries. For me aswell, a big factor is the music in the gym, if the music is funky and it gets you pumped up and gets you to the top of a hard route, then you've got it made!

Has anybody climbed at A.I.R. in Albaany NY? It is small, but has a cave system like no other in the world. It isn't a climbing cave with holds, but rather you crawl up and down through it getting caught in loops and coming upon odd types of small rooms. At one point you emerge into the opened gym at its ceiling and pull yourself across to an opening on a differnt wall using tyrolian ropes. Ther are quite a few kids during the daytime, especially on weekends, but the evenings sport mostly climbers. You can check it out at www.airrockgym.com .

I love the PEOPLE at my gym, a couple pros, the staff, they have me bring in my CD's (good sound system, especially at night when the kids leave), great route-setters, good roof, great bouldering, great leads...

I would definatlly have to say Stoneworks in Carrolton Texas. tallest indoor route in teh country (121 feet) and lead routes that get completly parrallel with the floor. The staff is cooler than crap and thay even go climbing wiht you.

i climb at OKC Rocks in oklahoma city. its a converted grain silo..they have everything from easy jug routes to full-on pocket routes and they even have an 80' crack that goes from fists to fingers. they have a bouldering cave and they just changed it not too long ago..they added about 7 new surfaces to it. the people that climb there are really cool, they will answer questions and b.s. with you. the owner and manager are cool too. oh yeah i haven't climbed it yet but they have the tallest artificial climb in the US there..145'. most routes can be led which is sweet too.

i'm lucky to have had Upper Limits in Bloomington, IL to be my learning grounds. cool staff, dozens of routes at 65 feet, a few at 120 feet, a wave wall, a huge roof, multi-level bouldering cave, and more. even an artificial ice waterfall in the winter! www.upperlimits.com

planet rock in ann arbor mi is awesome. They have over 22,000 sq ft aof climbing surface, 3 bouldering caves and 50' ceilings with lead routes to 85'.The staff is great for helping out. Only down side is its a little pricy at $13 per day